If you don’t already know Ali, from Gimme Some Oven, is a good friend of mine. No, not the kind that you met via social media, but the kind of friend you’ve gone on ultimate road trips with, who has caught your tears over that boy who broke your heart, and even stood next to me at my wedding. Since we live states away we don’t get to see much of each other these days, but we do our best to schedule in a girls trip work weekend when we can!

Ali asked me to narrow down the top 10 Things I’ve learned throughout my whole life thus far and share them with her readers! Ok, ok… it wasn’t presented quite like that, but that’s how it felt! I’m not gonna lie I probably stressed over this a bit too much (Cale is nodding his head yes…), but I hope you find some good tidbits and things to help you grow on your own journey. Plus, what is a good interview without a couple of fun stories about Cale and I from “way back when”.

Hop on over to read my 10 Things I’ve Learned and give my good friend some love! Who knows, you may even find a good recipe for dinner tonight as well. SCORE!

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I’ve been getting truly spoiled lately! Not only have I gotten to travel to Boston to visit a good friend, but I recently traveled to Kansas City for another girls trip to catch up with Ali from Gimme Some Oven.

Being friends with a food blogger has it’s perks! I’ve known Ali for nearly fourteen years now and have definitely taken advantage of MANY of her yummy recipes. Not only is she a great friend, but she’s a true inspiration to me as a woman, a creative, and a blogger. My time with Ali was pretty simple, but just what I needed. For two solid days her downtown loft apartment became my home (and I saw the real mess of dishes when her kitchen doesn’t look like this!). Together we pounded out blog posts, talked through long term goals for Bringing Design Home, created our own version of Chocolate Covered Easter Eggs, watched cheesy tv shows, and got addicted to Bundaberg Ginger Beer.

Ali, you sure know how to show this pregnant lady a good time!

Isn’t Ali’s dog the cutest thing!?!??? I’m honestly not a little dog person, but I just fell in love with him. He was my snuggle buddy while I was away from James.

This trip wasn’t so much about site seeing, but some of my favorite things included:

My first sip of Pour-Over Coffee and a morning work session at Quay Coffee.

Getting lost in World Market looking at beautifully designed cookbooks and tiny dishes.

And of course, no Ali visit would be complete without enjoying some quality chips and salsa! Sure, Jose Pepper’s is a chain, but it’s REALLY good!

It was such a breath of fresh air to have a few days to focus solely on Bringing Design Home. I’m so thankful for my mom who gave up a few days of her spring break to watch my little minion, a husband who told me to “go and have a great time” even when that meant spending a whole week without seeing his family, and a wonderful friend who I got to share life with for a few days and bounce ideas off of.

My friend Ali is so legit! We’ve been through a lot together and it’s been so much fun watching her blog, Gimme Some Oven, blossom into a full-time career. I recently took a little business trip to KC to hangout work on some long term business goals and learn a few tips and tricks from a blogging pro.

As most girls weekends go we enjoyed a wild night in our favorite stretchy pants, sippin Ginger Beer through dainty straws, and catching the latest Dancing with the Stars Episode. It was during this time we had a very important business meeting and brainstormed these magical creations–just in time for Easter!

I don’t know about you, but I think these babies take the traditional Chocolate Easter Egg to a whole… nother… level! Their cute presentation and ideal serving size are simply perfect for not only Easter, but any spring occasion.

Meet Ali. When she’s not busy with her musician career (worship leader, musician, arranger, choir director) she’s busy writing and taking photos of her yummy recipes on her cooking blog; “Gimme Some Oven”. Ali’s the type of girl that loves people and any excuse to entertain. She grew up with a family of entertainers and creatives that cherish family and believe there is nothing like a good meal around the dinning room table. Believe me I’ve had the pleasure of sharing some of those meals with her family (including AMAZING homemade cheesecake) and in college you could always avoid the school cafeteria by “stopping by” Ali’s apartment around dinner time!

Q1. How did you get started cooking?

I had the great luck to grow up in the kitchen alongside my mom, who is and talented, creative, and very resourceful home cook. She had dinner on the table for our family to enjoy together most nights of the week, and instilled in each of us an appreciation for healthy, well-balanced meals (always followed by dessert!!).

But for better or worse, I didn’t really develop my own passion for cooking until college. It was there that –- after the novelty of all-you-can-eat fried food and ice cream wore off -– I was finally motivated to learn the basics!! Thankfully, I had plenty of willing taste-testers around. (Quickly learned that college students will come over instantly at the mention of homemade food!) And while my roommates would affirm that there were definitely plenty of hilarious cooking disasters along the way, it was a blast and I learned a ton those years.

During that time, I also discovered what an absolute blessing it is to have your home filled with friends, enjoying a meal you have prepared. I still think there’s nothing better.

Q2. Define what makes a meal great?

I love-love-love exploring new restaurants, especially in Kansas City. But without a doubt, homemade meals will always be my favorite.

As for what makes those meals “great”, I most enjoy meals that are good all around – good for you (fresh, healthy ingredients), good for your schedule (which in my world usually means 30-minute meals!), good for your community (buying local when you can)…and occasionally, good for your sweet tooth (YUM). I also gravitate towards ethnic foods, so anything with lots of spices/herbs is an extra plus in my book.

Q3. What has been the most rewarding part about blogging your food adventures?

When I began blogging, my main hope was just to create a nice “little” archive of my favorite recipes, and maybe learn a little about photography in the process. (And I thought it would be a plus if my family or a few friends tuned in!)

Little did I know how quickly word spreads on the Internet, and what amazing and encouraging readers I would soon connect with from all over the world. To this day, it still boggles my mind people from all over the world tune in to my little site. It has been so fun getting to know them!

But I’d have to say that I think that the best “reward” of blogging (that still surprises me whenever I hear it) is having someone tell me that they made one of my recipes. Such a humbling honor.

Q4. What advice do you have for others interested in starting a food blog?